Podcast appearances and mentions of Matt Hill

Labour leader Ed Miliband awkwardly ate a bacon sandwich at New Covent Garden Market on 21st May, 2014. Mid-bite, eyes squinting, lips oddly parted, and fingers clumsily gripping the sandwich - it was an instantly meme-able moment. The British press pounced. The photo became a viral sensation, with endless edits, spoofs, and headlines suggesting Miliband wasn't “human enough” to relate to the average voter. It was a perfect storm of bad optics, class-coded food politics, and the relentless image-focused nature of modern campaigning. The idea that someone couldn't even eat a sandwich “properly” became, bizarrely, a shorthand for unrelatability. In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly unpick why this accidental photocall continued to resonate a year later, becoming a ‘defining image' of the 2015 general election; recall how David Cameron swerved a similar encounter with a hot dog; and discover how the Google results for this iconic moment have been somewhat interfered with… Further Reading: • 'Is this the moment Ed realised that the man who sold him this bacon sandwich is voting Tory? Labour leader's nationwide tour gets off to a difficult start' (Mail Online, 2014): https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2634977/Is-moment-Ed-realised-man-sold-bacon-sandwich-voting-Tory-Labour-leaders-nationwide-tour-gets-difficult-start.html • ‘The Defining Image of the British Election' (The Atlantic, 2015): https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/05/ed-miliband-bacon-british-election/392867/ • 'Ed Miliband: 'The bacon sandwich didn't lose me the election'' (LBC, 2021): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O38SKEBPohU Love the show? Support us!  Join 

He had a dream. And is living it. Matt Hill is the voice behind some of the best moments in Australian sport. He is already a broadcasting icon. But, he is an even better bloke. And he explains the dream he is living, brilliantly. From calling races around the hallways as a kid, to voicing the Melbourne Cup, Olympics and footy and plenty more sports (wait until you hear the list!). Matt Hill is the dream chaser who never gave up — even when he was on the dole or facing a life-threatening health scare at the Beijing Games. This is a powerful story of grit, passion, and pure love for sport. A master of the mic… who’s still just a fan at heart. Thanks Matty! See you Thursday Night on Fox Footy! *** Follow the Howie Games on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehowiegamespod/ Follow the Howie Games on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thehowiegamesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Hitachi launched their ‘personal massager' on 20th May, 1968, they had no idea (or so they claim) that they were about to, um, go down in sex toy history. The Magic Wand was initially developed to relieve tension and relaxing sore muscles - but soon became celebrated as the most powerful vibrator the world had ever seen. In this episode, Rebecca, Olly and Arion discover how its innocent packaging helped boost sales when female masturbation was taboo, reveal the role sex educator Betty Dodson had in introducing it to the chattering classes, and consider how Apple would react today, if it was revealed that ‘rubbing an iPad on your bits felt good'... Content Warning: Explicit content, references to genitalia. Further Reading: • ‘A Brief History of The Magic Wand', Cosmopolitan (2017): https://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/a14105499/hitachi-magic-wand-history/ • Sam returns her ‘neck massager' to The Sharper Image in Sex and the City (2002): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T4QIO4XVPc • Magic Wand's official website: https://magicwandoriginal.com/ Love the show? Support us!  Join 

He had a dream. And is living it. Matt Hill is the voice behind some of the best moments in Australian sport. He is already a broadcasting icon. But, he is an even better bloke. And he explains the dream he is living, brilliantly. From calling races around the hallways as a kid, to voicing the Melbourne Cup, Olympics and footy and plenty more sports (wait until you hear the list!). Matt Hill is the dream chaser who never gave up — even when he was on the dole or facing a life-threatening health scare at the Beijing Games. This is a powerful story of grit, passion, and pure love for sport. A master of the mic… who’s still just a fan at heart. Thanks Matty! See you Thursday Night on Fox Footy! *** Follow the Howie Games on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehowiegamespod/ Follow the Howie Games on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thehowiegamesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nobel Prize-winning dramatist Harold Pinter's London premiere of his debut, ‘The Birthday Play' was detested by most critics - on 19th May, 1958. Set in a mundane seaside boarding house, the play initially lures audiences in with a naturalistic facade, before plunging them into a perplexing, uncomfortable narrative. Critics lambasted the production for its nonsensical dialogue and lack of clarity; lines of attack which were not eased by Pinter's lifelong refusal to offer explanations. The sole exception was a positive review from The Sunday Times's Harold Hobson - but this was printed after the show had already been pulled. In this episode, The Retrospectors explain how Pinter's play nonetheless left a lasting impact on British theatre; reveal who ‘Betrayal' was REALLY about; and attempt to quantify the value of the Pinteresque pause... Further Reading: • ‘Hated by critics, the new boy Harold Pinter' (Sunday Times, 1958): https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/from-the-archive-hated-by-critics-the-new-boy-harold-pinter-wjj2mssv8vp • ‘Fighting talk' (The Guardian, 2008): https://www.theguardian.com/books/2008/may/03/theatre.stage • ‘The Birthday Party, By Harold Pinter' (BBC, 1987): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vbXyXeEDhU&t=64s Love the show? Support us!  Join 

Socialite, wit and fashion influencer Beau Brummell fled to France on 16th May, 1816, in order to escape his creditors, from whom he had racked up around £600,000 of gambling debts. Staying at Dessin's Hotel, he entertained in his apartments while learning French and writing his memoirs, biding his time until his bestie George IV appointed him to the British consul in nearby Caen. But the position lasted only two years, and eventually he was jailed for his mounting debts in France. In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly track the highs and lows of this iconic dandy's relationship with the Palace; consider how his career in the consulate came to such a rapid end; and explore his influence on gentleman's fashion ever since…  Further Reading: • ‘Beau Brummell - The Ultimate Man of Style, By Ian Kelly' (Atria Books, 2013):  https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Beau_Brummell/z0bihH_cbTgC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Beau+Brummell&printsec=frontcover • ‘Regency London: Where did the Ton spend their time?' (Britain Magazine, 2023): https://www.britain-magazine.com/featured/regency-london-where-did-the-ton-spend-their-time/ • ‘Beau Brummell: The First Menswear Influencer?' (Gentleman's Gazette, 2022): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBgVvvGHFiM Love the show? Support us!  Join 

A major Coinbase hack & cover-up has just been exposed, and it's worse than you think. Matt Hill, Brian De Mint, and Ant join BTC Sessions to break down what really happened—and why it could shake trust in the crypto space.FOLLOW TODAY'S PANELISTS:https://x.com/_MattHill_https://x.com/BrianDeMinthttps://x.com/2140dataFOLLOW BTC SESSIONS on X/Nostr: x.com/BTCsessionsbtcsessions@getalby.comBOOK private one-on-one sessions with BITCOIN MENTOR! Learn self custody, hardware, multisig, lightning, privacy, running a node, and plenty more - all from a team of top notch educators that I've personally vetted.https://bitcoinmentor.io/—------------------------------SHOW SPONSORS:BITCOIN WELL - BUY BITCOINhttps://qrco.de/bfiDC6COINKITE/COLDCARD (5% discount):https://qrco.de/bfiDBVAQUA WALLEThttps://qrco.de/bfiD8gNUNCHUK HONEYBADGER INHERITANCEhttps://qrco.de/bfiDARHODLHODL NO KYC P2P EXCHANGEhttps://hodlhodl.com/join/BTCSESSIONDEBIFI LOANShttps://qrco.de/bfiDCp#btc #bitcoin #crypto

Ellen Church became the first ever airline stewardess on May 15th, 1930 - when she took to the skies with a Boeing Air Transport flight from Oakland, California to Chicago.  A licensed airplane pilot, she'd approached the airline to inquire about flying planes, but, when she was told that in fact they didn't employ women at all, she suggested that they put registered nurses like herself aboard to care for the passengers - and was hired to recruit and train seven additional women for the role. Candidates needed to be no taller than 5 feet, 4 inches; not more than 25 years old… and single. Their salary was $125.00 per month. In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly reveal the seemingly never-ending list of safety responsibilities given to this first generation of ‘Sky Girls'; unpick the sexist recruitment policies underpinning their employment; and discover some of the most sexualised ad-campaigns of all time… Further Reading: • ‘Flight Attendants of History: How the First Stewardess Got Her Job' (Time, 2015): https://time.com/3847732/first-stewardess-ellen-church/ • ‘Shaking up a cocktail, tucking passengers into bed and calming nervous flyers: Fascinating vintage photos reveal life in the sky for the first air hostesses of the 1930's' (Mail Online, 2015): https://rb.gy/h01wa • ‘Southwest Airlines' - commercial circa 1972: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR7JApjgIGw Love the show? Support us!  Join 

The Adultery Act, passed into British law on 14th May, 1650, made having sex with a married woman a crime so severe it was punishable by death – but only for her.  Radical groups like the Ranters mocked Puritan prudishness, Royalists called the law joyless and tyrannical, and Presbyterians argued the law would be impossible to apply fairly. But the Puritans needed something everyone could rally around – and sexual sin was an easy target.  Those who thought the English Civil War had been divine punishment for a sinful nation believed only Old Testament-style legislation could stop society from descending into full-blown chaos. Yet, during the time the law was on the statue books, no one was actually executed. In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly consider the practicalities of proving adultery in a time when no reliable records of marriage existed; explain why sex with your son's wife or daughter's husband was considered incest; and reveal how, in some form, adultery stayed on the books until 2022.... Further Reading: • ‘An Act for suppressing the detestable sins of Incest, Adultery and Fornication' (House of Parliament, 1650): https://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/acts-ordinances-interregnum/pp387-389 • 'England's Culture Wars - Puritan Reformation and Its Enemies in the Interregnum, 1649-1660, By B. S. Capp' (OUP, 2012): https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/England_s_Culture_Wars/d42Z-58lIdcC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=7+Puritans+and+Sex&pg=PA132&printsec=frontcover • '60 Second Lecture Series- "The Puritans Had Sex? Why, Yes, They Did...!" - Kathy Cooke' (Quinnipiac University, 2013): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faHxWKgtkkw Love the show? Support us!  Join 

Matt Hill’s voice is sport. From the thunder of hooves at Flemington to the roar of the crowd at the MCG, to the 100m Sprint at the Olympics - he layers it all with perfection In this Player Profile, the racecaller-turned-broadcast superstar goes under the Howie Games spotlight! and, as expected. He EXCELS! It’s fast-paced, full of laughs, and gives you a quick-fire look at the man behind the mic — the great Matt Hill! So, ahead of the full episode. Saddle up and enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘WannaCry', the biggest cyberattack the world has seen, was stopped in its tracks on 13th May, 2017. British blogger Marcus Hutchins found the 'kill switch'. He was 22. The ransomware had attacked the NHS, Renault, Telefónica, FedEx, and Boeing - causing damage estimated at up to $8 billion.  In this episode, Olly, Rebecca and Arion revisit Hutchins' incredible story, from childhood computer programmer to criminal hacker and, eventually, British hero; consider when exactly their own children will eclipse their technical proficiency; and discover what ‘sinkholing' is... Further reading: • ‘The Confessions of Marcus Hutchins, the Hacker Who Saved the Internet' - a long read interview in ‘Wired': https://www.wired.com/story/confessions-marcus-hutchins-hacker-who-saved-the-internet/ • “I'm no hero”, Marcus Hutchins tells the Telegraph: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5dNdnG_t1U • Follow Marcus Hutchins on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MalwareTechBlog Love the show? Support us!  Join 

Winnie - the real-life bear who inspired A.A. Milne to create Winnie-the-Pooh - died at London Zoo on 12th May, 1934. Brought to the UK by Canadian soldier Harry Colbourn, who'd named her after Winnipeg, the approachable bear took up residence at the Zoo during the First World War, where she became a favourite with visiting children, who were permitted to ride on her back and feed her treats. One such visitor was none other than Christopher Robin. In this episode, The Retrospectors explain why Winnie's enclosure was an architectural triumph; consider A.A. Milne's attempt to distance his family from Pooh's legacy; and discover that the literary Pooh could have been a swan… Further Reading: • ‘The True Story of the Real-Life Winnie-the-Pooh' (HISTORY, 1934): https://www.history.com/news/the-true-story-of-the-real-life-winnie-the-pooh • ‘The skull of the 'real' Winnie goes on display' (BBC News, 2015): https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-34844669 • ‘The bear who inspired Winnie-the-Pooh' (ZSL, 2014): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdOymRprTqM Love the show? Support us!  Join 

Fourteen years of food rationing came to an end in Britain on 4th July, 1954, when restrictions on the sale and purchase of meat and bacon were lifted - and we're running this episode today as part of the 80th anniversary of VE Day that Europe is celebrating this week. Members of the London Housewives' Association held a special ceremony in London's Trafalgar Square to mark Derationing Day. Meanwhile, The Minister of Fuel and Power, Geoffrey Lloyd, burned a large replica of a ration book. Rationing had been introduced due to difficulties importing food to Britain by boat during the war, but also affected the supply of clothes, furniture and fuel. During the war, the Ministry of Food urged the British people to grow their own veg to play their part in defeating the Germans. In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly consider the merits of a ‘mock' fish and chips recipe; examine how the Conservatives used this ‘Victory Day for Housewives' to score a political point of the previous Labour government; and reveal how to avoid ‘Humble Pie with Hitler'...  Further Reading: • ‘Food Rationing In WW2: When Did It Begin & End, & How Did People Cook?' (HistoryExtra, 2021): https://www.historyextra.com/period/second-world-war/when-food-rationing-begin-end-ww2/ • ‘The wartime recipes that kept Britain going in the Second World War' (Country Life, 2017): https://www.countrylife.co.uk/food-drink/victory-in-the-kitchen-easy-wartime-recipes-to-try-149921 This episode first aired in 2023 Love the show? Support us!  Join 

Former BBC1, ITV controller and Expectation chief Peter Fincham joins us to discuss his new podcast, Insiders, on the secrets of the TV industry. We'll find out what he makes of this week's headlines.Also on the programme: as President Trump threatens tariffs on high end TV and Film, media writer Tara Conlan assesses the risks for the sector.All that plus: we're in Bradford for all the takeaways from the Creative Cities Convention.And, in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we're heading into the courtroom for the biggest verdicts of the week.The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network who select the music to score each episode - they can do it for you too at https://www.audionetwork.comBecome a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at https://www.themediaclub.comA Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery.We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIA CLUB at podshoponline.co.ukWhat The Media Club has been reading this week:AI Agatha Christie Trump film / HETV tariff threat already causing shocks -. but are we over some of the worst?Swedish Podcast Conglomerate PodX Acquires Lemonada MediaDisney & Big Talk look to salvage Dick TurpinSteve Wright memorial gathers A-List starsBBC admits lapse in standards around coverage of Prince Harry interviewHow The Assembly found a home on ITVAlex Mahon's debut novel: ‘The Rich Bitch Club' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today is the 80th anniversary of ‘Victory in Europe Day', but despite the popular impression of the joyous street parties and jubilant crowds that took over London on 8th May, 1945, the reality was rather more complex.  For starters, the terms of Germany's surrender itself had displeased the Soviet Union, and Stalin insisted on a second, official surrender in Berlin. This meant that while the West celebrated on May 8th, Russia and its allies marked Victory Day on May 9th.  Meanwhile, in Britain, the logistics behind our ‘spontaneous' celebrations had actually been in the works since D-Day, with the working title of Ceasefire Day. Winston Churchill, amongst his many more sombre duties, was tasked with ensuring that the country had enough beer and bunting. And not everyone came out in the streets. While a million people flooded central London, many others stayed home, exhausted and mourning loved ones lost in the war. The sound of church bells—silent for five years except in case of invasion—was an emotional moment for many.  In this special 80th anniversary episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly consider the tricky dynamics of VE Day for President Truman, just weeks after Franklin D. Roosevelt had died; explain how time zone differences caused confusion in Australia and New Zealand; and discover the ultimate celebratory foodstuff: mashed parsnips… Further Reading: • ‘What You Need To Know About VE Day 8 May 1945' (Imperial War Museums): https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/what-you-need-to-know-about-ve-day • ‘VE Day' (Bletchley Park): https://bletchleypark.org.uk/our-story/ve-day/ • ‘V E Day in London - 1945' (Movietone, 1945): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEavcsrMoMw Love the show? Support us!  Join 

Nazi propagandist William Joyce, best known to British radio listeners as ‘Lord Haw Haw', was hanged by Albert Pierrepoint at Wandsworth Prison on 3rd January, 1946 - and we're running this episode today as part of the 80th anniversary of VE Day that Europe is celebrating this week. At the peak of his powers, his anti-Allied broadcasts from Hamburg reached up to 50% of the UK listening public, who tuned in to hear the German perspective on the looming confrontations, correspondence from British prisoners of War, and Joyce's compelling, menacing, yet gossipy delivery of Hitler's aims and accomplishments. And a bit of Jazz. In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain how there were not just one, but in fact three ‘Lords Haw Haw'; consider how Joyce leaned into his celebrity status during World War II; and reveal how his fraudulently-obtained British passport helped to seal his fate on the hangman's noose…  Further Reading: • ‘Treason law reform and the Lord Haw-Haw case 75 years on' (House of Lords Library, 2020): https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/treason-law-reform-and-the-lord-haw-haw-case-75-years-on/ • ‘Lord Haw-Haw: popularity of wartime Nazi propagandist made the BBC up its game' (The Conversation, 2021): https://theconversation.com/lord-haw-haw-popularity-of-wartime-nazi-propagandist-made-the-bbc-up-its-game-150787#:~:text=Haw-Haw%2C%20wrote%20Hobson%2C%20had%20increased%20the%20nation%E2%80%99s%20Christmas,made%20an%20impact%20because%20he%20faced%20no%20contradiction. • ‘Germany Calling: Lord Haw Haw's Final Broadcast' (Station Bremen, 1945): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe-THrWu_4I This episode was first aired in 2023 Love the show? Support us!  Join 

Winston Churchill had only been Prime Minister for three months when, on 20th August, 1940, he delivered ‘The Few' - one of his most iconic speeches - in the House of Commons.  Arion, Rebecca and Olly consider how and why Churchill's paean to the courage of RAF pilots during the Battle of Britain has been so well-remembered - albeit mainly for a quote that appears in the middle of a lengthy address: “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few”. In this episode, The Retrospectors reveal why Churchill laboured for hours on his most famous speeches; consider how his pronouncements played a crucial role in boosting national morale; and explore how he himself transformed from a divisive figure to a unifying PM during this pivotal time in British history... Thanks for supporting our show! Further Reading: • ‘The Few' (International Churchill Society): https://winstonchurchill.org/resources/speeches/1940-the-finest-hour/the-few/ • ‘8 Of Winston Churchill's Best Speeches – Chosen By His Grandson' (HistoryExtra, 2021): https://www.historyextra.com/period/second-world-war/churchills-greatest-speeches/ • ‘How Winston Churchill's Speeches helped to win WW2' (Imperial War Museums, 2021): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3I_-5njblk This episode first aired in 2023 Love the show? Support us!  Join 

Americans and Nazis fought side-by-side in the ‘Battle For Castle Itter' on 5th May, 1945 - an attempt to free high-profile French prisoners from a 13th century Austrian castle at the very end of the War. The prison - a sub-unit of Dachau concentration camp - housed former prime ministers and military figures, treated as "honour prisoners" by the Nazis. But the looming chaos of the war's end brought the risk of execution as Allied and Soviet forces closed in. Sensing the shifting tides, prisoners took matters into their own hands, dispatching emissaries to seek aid from advancing American troops. What followed was a daring rescue mission that brought together an unlikely coalition of American, German, and French forces - led by an American tank commander and aided by a defected Wehrmacht officer This episode first aired in 2024 Love the show? Support us!  Join 

Scientists from around the world gathered in Rome on 2nd May 1922 to agree on a definitive list of 88 constellations, which up until then had been an astronomical free-for-all. The collection of eminent astronomers eventually settled on 42 animals, 29 inanimate objects and 17 humans or mythological characters, which, taken together, offered a complete map of the skies for the very first time. In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain how different ancient civilisations around the world understood the heavens differently; marvel at the immense contribution of Ancient Greeks to contemporary astronomy; and discuss why Antinous, the boy lover of the Roman emperor Hadrian, is the greatest constellation no longer in use…  Further Reading: • ‘10 Constellations that Never Caught On' (Mental Floss, 2010): https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/49454/10-constellations-never-caught  • ‘The Constellations' (IAU, 2001): https://www.iau.org/public/themes/constellations/  • ‘Pictures in the sky: the origin and history of the constellations' (The Royal Society, 2014): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZm-QaKqS-Y&t=271s  #1920s #Space #Europe #Science This episode first aired in 2023 Love the show? Support us!  Join 

Politico's senior executive editor, Kate Day, tells us what's in store for the original newsletter publisher.Also on the programme: Alex Mahon is set to leave Channel 4. Deadline's senior investigations reporter Jake Kanter is here to divine what happens next.All that plus: Baby Reindeer's Richard Gadd talks to us about just what he sacrificed to get his story out there, as well as more interviews on the winner's run at BAFTA's TV Craft Awards featuring Reece Sheersmith and Steve Pemberton (Inside Number 9), Kate Oates and Ben Wadey (Eastenders) and Andy Devonshire (Taskmaster).And, in the Media Quiz, we reveal what you could have won.Become a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at themediaclub.comA Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery.We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIA CLUB at podshoponline.co.ukWhat The Media Club has been reading this week:Alex Mahon to leave Channel 4Piers Morgan on YouTube's success Tara Conlan's Spot The Difference on the BBC's latest workplace reviewJake Kanter's piece on problematic staff being retainedObserver's first week of relaunchCNN's Christiane Amanpour Joins GlobalBanajay eyes up all of ITVMr Bates wins a BAFTA special awardCelebrity Traitors line up revealed(00:00) - Hellos(00:40) - British Political Journalists(02:40) - Katie Rawcliffe(04:15) - Channel 4 CEO Alex Mahon Leaving(08:42) - Piers Morgan Cancels Newspapers(09:46) - Is YouTube the future of reporting?(13:39) - Journalist Entrepreneurs(15:23) - BBC Sexual Harassment(20:20) - BAFTA TV Craft Awards(20:35) - Richard Gadd Interview - Baby Reindeer(22:32) - EastEnders Special Award(25:30) - Andy Devonshire - Taskmaster(26:55) - Reece Sheersmith & Steve Pemberton - Inside Number 9(31:55) - Politico Europe 10 Year Anniversary(39:52) - The Media Quiz(44:50) - Goodbyes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the deregulated skies of the 1980s, airlines needed new ways to make customers feel special. Enter the first major frequent flyer program, American Airlines' AAdvantage, on 1st May, 1981. Bob Crandall built a powerful data system to track and process his customers' miles, giving American a huge head start whilst rivals scrambled to copy his idea. Suddenly, airline loyalty points weren't just for free flights — they were currency. Hotels, car rentals, and restaurant reservations got looped in, creating the foundation for today's sprawling loyalty ecosystems. In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly discover how much airlines lose on each ticket they give away; uncover the small regional airline that actually beat American to the frequent flyer market; and reveal how one man with a lifetime pass has flown 25 million miles…  Further Reading: • ‘FARE GAMES AND THE FREQUENT FLIER' (The New York Times, 1982): https://www.nytimes.com/1982/10/17/travel/fare-games-and-the-frequent-flier.html • ‘AAdvantage Celebrates 40 Years of Loyalty Innovation' (American Airlines Newsroom, 2021): https://news.aa.com/news/news-details/2021/AAdvantage-Celebrates-40-Years-of-Loyalty-Innovation-AADV-04/default.aspx • ‘Bob Crandall and Rick Elieson chats about the history of AAdvantage and how loyalty is evolving' (Loyalty Leaders Podcast, 2021): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RZe4HCQVsw #Business #Advertising #80s #US Love the show? Support us!  Join 

Butts & Moff with a big Recovery this week unpacking after dark stories with Matt Hill, Kane vs North Melbourne saga & Buttsy getting into the political scene! This episode of the "Recovery” is brought to you by Salt Movement & Recovery — Melbourne's ALL-IN-ONE wellness hub! Train YOUR way with fully customisable memberships: High-Performance Gym Floor  Recovery Zone Normatec Compression Lounge Group Fitness Classes Whether you're recovering from a brutal game like Chom and Drapes, pumping iron in the gym like me, or sweating off magnums like Butts — Salt Movement & Recovery has you covered. Ready to train smarter and recover better? Hit up saltfit.com.au and get moving today! Quote '200Plus' when signing up at reception and you'll get a $0 sign up fee + the first 2 weeks free! Send us your voice messages here: ⁠https://memo.fm/200pluspodcast/⁠ Produced by Josh Moffitt 200 PLUS Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/200pluspod/⁠ Sam Draper:⁠ www.instagram.com/drvper/⁠ Nick Butler: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/nick_butler10/⁠ Charlie Comben: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/charliecomben/⁠ Clubby Sports: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/ClubbySports⁠ Producey:⁠ https://producey.com/

A British motoring icon made its debut at the Amsterdam Motor Show on 30th April, 1948: the Land Rover. The UK's first off-road vehicle (that wasn't a tractor!) had been sketched in sand by its creator, Maurice Wilks.  Heavily inspired by the American Willys Jeep, the first Land Rovers were simple, no-frills workhorses with no roof, no heater, and barely any doors — just half-height flaps to keep you from falling out. And at £450, they were priced for farmers, not aristocrats. But the car soon caught on, with everyone from Winston Churchill to Bob Marley. Despite being noisy, leaky and slow, the Land Rover's charm wasn't about comfort — it was about practicality, reliability, and an unmistakably rugged, "real" vibe that everyone could get behind. In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly unpick how the marque inspired explorers, aid workers, and adventurers; consider why the British Army abandoned the vehicle in the 21st century; and discover why the steering wheel on the first models was placed in the middle… Further Reading: • ‘Why everyone wants a classic Land Rover' (The Times, 2022): https://www.thetimes.com/article/7e9e5d1e-7dec-11ec-b216-7a521e8f125c • ‘Land Rover Design - 70 Years of Success by Nick Hull' (David & Charles, 2018): https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Land_Rover_Design_70_Years_of_Success/w9IjEQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=maurice+wilks&pg=PT19&printsec=frontcover • ‘History Of Land Rover: Discover the Amazing Story Behind the Land Rover!' (Land Rover World, 2023): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aV3BIQ6WfR8 #Motoring #Design #40s #UK #Inventions Love the show? Support us!  Join 

Where are meatballs from, and why does it matter? Social media users frenziedly grappled with these very questions on 29th April, 2018, when Sweden's official Twitter account proclaimed: “Swedish meatballs are actually based on a recipe King Charles XII brought home from Turkey in the early 18th century. Let's stick to the facts!” Does this tale about the Royal family bringing meatballs back from the Ottoman Empire check out? And doesn't every culture in the world have some form of meatballs? You'd think these would be innocent questions - but they ended up overhauling Sweden's social media strategy for good… In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly trace the origins of IKEA's best-selling product; reveal the world-record for meatball consumption; and investigate a Finnish hack for soupy balls… Further Reading: • ‘Swedish Meatballs Are Actually Turkish, According to Sweden' (TIME, 2018): https://time.com/5263690/swedish-meatballs-actually-turkish/ • ‘Sweden's official Twitter account will no longer be run by random Swedes' (The Verge, 2018): https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/5/17824338/sweden-twitter-account-citizens-takeover-swedish • ‘Sweden admits Swedish meatballs are actually from Turkey' (CBS Evening News, 2018): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0ShdZADmhg #food #culture #sweden #2010s #tech #funny This episode first aired in 2022 Love the show? Support us!  Join 

Big episode this week, Plummers! The voice of racing, Matt Hill, joins us for the full show as we chat about his incredible career in commentary and dive into some classic 200Plus filth. Plus, Grace Egan is back and joins Butts and Chom after we unpack a huge week in 200Plus. Don't miss it! Enjoy plums and remember to GET THE KNEES UP! We're on Youtube! Full episodes now will drop Wednesday nights: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@200PlusPodcast⁠ Send us your voice messages here: ⁠https://memo.fm/200pluspodcast/⁠ Produced by Josh Moffitt 200 PLUS Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/200pluspod/⁠ Sam Draper:⁠ www.instagram.com/drvper/⁠ Nick Butler: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/nick_butler10/⁠ Charlie Comben: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/charliecomben/⁠ Clubby Sports: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/ClubbySports⁠ Producey:⁠ https://producey.com/

History's most famous mutiny kicked off on 28th April, 1789, when Captain William Bligh was ousted from his ship by his former friend, Fletcher Christian, and 23 rebelling crew members: ‘The Mutiny on the Bounty'. Bligh and 18 of his loyal crew were then set adrift in a small boat with minimal provisions, while the mutineers set sail for Tahiti. Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain how some ripening breadfruit was to blame for the mounting tensions and disillusionment among the crew members; reveal how Bligh faced (lesser-reported) subsequent incidents of mutiny; and investigate his flogging record… Further Reading: • ‘The real story behind the infamous mutiny on the H.M.S. Bounty' (National Geographic, 2021): https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/the-real-story-behind-infamous-mutiny-hms-bounty • ‘What was the mutiny on the Bounty? Here's all you need to know' (HistoryExtra, 2020): https://www.historyextra.com/period/georgian/mutiny-on-bounty-facts-what-happened-who-was-captain-william-bligh/ • ‘Mutiny on the Bounty - The Mutiny Scene' (MGM, 1962): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0oqEjxOUww Love the show? Support us!  Join 

he German poet and journalist Heinrich Heine coined the term “Lisztomania” on 25th April 1844 to describe the phenomenon of frenzied fandom in Europe where women would physically assault Franz Liszt by tearing his clothes, fighting over broken piano strings and locks of his shoulder-length hair. Heine said there was something about Liszt's performances that “raised the mood of audiences to a level of mystical ecstasy” – which seemed to be a result of the combination of his good looks, his charisma and his stage presence. In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain how Liszt created an almost parasocial relationship with his fan base; investigate why critics are still reproving of expressive concert pianists to this day; and discuss whether the Heine was trying to extort money from performers like Liszt in exchange for better reviews…  Further Reading: • ‘The Virtuoso Liszt' (Cambridge University Press, 2002): The Virtuoso Liszt - Google Books: https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/The_Virtuoso_Liszt/koSQAjlxeOIC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=lisztomania&pg=PA203&printsec=frontcover • ‘Forget the Beatles – Liszt was music's first “superstar”' (BBC Culture, 2016): https://shorturl.at/eipIP • ‘Lisztomania: the 19th-century pop phenomenon that made Beatlemania look tame' (The Telegraph, 2019): https://shorturl.at/lwNOP • ‘Before Beatlemania, There Was Lisztomania' (Great Big Story, 2020): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sjCA8OPobw  Love the show? Support us!  Join 

On 24th April 1644, the Chongzhen Emperor walked to Meishan, a small hill in present-day Jingshan Park and hanged himself on a tree, bringing a sudden end to the Ming dynasty. The writing had been on the wall for him for some time. By 1640, the unfortunate emperor faced multiple pandemics, an invasion, two internal rebellions, persistent drought, widespread famine, and an economic collapse. In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain how the fifth son of a low ranking concubine ultimately became emperor; reveal wythe Chongzhen Emperor used to sleep clutching a sword at night; and reveal why in medieval China, the gods could grant a monarch a mandate to rule, but they could also take it away if they felt like it…  Further Reading: • ‘A death on Coal Hill' (The China Project, 2022): https://thechinaproject.com/2022/04/20/a-death-on-coal-hill/  • ‘The Fall of the Ming Dynasty in China in 1644' (Thought Co., 2018): https://www.thoughtco.com/the-fall-of-the-ming-dynasty-3956385  • ‘Why did Ming explode into chaos? (Animated History)' (Laith - The Social Streamers, 2021): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTBQJFOA-Tk  CONTENT WARNING: suicide, mass suicide #1400s #China Love the show? Support us!  Join 

Coca-Cola was approaching its 100th birthday on 23rd April, 1985, when it unveiled a new beverage at New York City's Lincoln Center: the ‘smoother, rounder, bolder' flavour of ‘New Coke'. The success of Diet Coke had fragmented the market, and, in response to Pepsi's aggressive marketing campaigns targeting younger consumers, Coke had sought to introduce a sweeter formula. But, instead of offering the new formula alongside the original, they made the catastrophic decision to discontinue their classic recipe, known as Merchandise 7X.  The company had conducted extensive taste tests involving 190,000 consumers, which indicated a preference for the new formula. However, these tests overlooked the deep emotional connection many had with the original Coke. Protest groups like the Society for the Preservation of the Real Thing and Old Cola Drinkers of America, founded by Gay Mullins, emerged, reflecting the public's dissatisfaction, and, just 79 days after the launch, on July 11th, 1985, Coca-Cola held a press conference to announce the return of the original formula - now branded as "Coca-Cola Classic."  In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly reveal those hardcore cola fans who stockpiled soda like it was gold; uncover the psychiatrist's opinion that Coke's most committed customers were behaving as if they'd experienced a bereavement; and consider the conspiracy theories that suggest Coca-Cola engineered the whole debacle deliberately… Further Reading:  • ‘Coke, The Taste That Distresses' (The Washington Post, 1985): https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1985/06/07/coke-the-taste-that-distresses/1f0758dd-98a2-4a9d-ae1c-c188c2228354/ • ‘New Coke Didn't Fail. It Was Murdered' (Mother Jones, 2019): https://www.motherjones.com/food/2019/07/what-if-weve-all-been-wrong-about-what-killed-new-coke/ • ‘1985: Coca-Cola launches new Coke' (CBS Evening News, 1985): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8j97dOLsyk #80s #Advertising #Mistakes #Food Love the show? Support us!  Join 

Riding a Penny Farthing bicycle from the Sierra Nevada mountains to Yokohama, Japan, Thomas Stevens began his epic two-and-a-half year journey around the world on 22nd April, 1884. Along the way, he encountered mountain lions, Persian aristocracy, and thousands of supporters from bicycle clubs, who turned up to hear him speak. His journey was endlessly delayed by having to demonstrate the virtues of his bike to anyone who asked. In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain why the ‘wheel-men' of 1884 desperately needed a role-model like Stevens; reveal how he was able to monetize his adventurism in a very modern way; and unearth the surprising second career he embarked upon back in his native England…  Further Reading: • ‘The Fearless Traveller: Around the World with Thomas Stevens' (Adventure Cycling, 2010): https://www.adventurecycling.org/sites/default/assets/resources/201005_TheFearlessTraveler_Koss.pdf • ‘Thomas Stevens, a Berkhamsted pioneer, crosses America by bicycle' (Berkhamsted Local History & Museum Society): https://berkhamsted-history.org.uk/thomas-stevens-a-berkhamsted-pioneer-crosses-america-by-bicycle/ • ‘Epic Explorers: Thomas Stevens' (The EPIC Channel, 2022): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqHY1-TL12o #Explorer #Sport #UK #USA #1800s Love the show? Support us!  Join 

Costing just 12,500 yen, Nintendo's revolutionary handheld console, the Game Boy, was released in Japan on 21st April, 1989, quickly selling out its initial stock of 300,000 units. With its compact size, cartridge-based games, and impressive battery life, the Game Boy went on to become a cultural phenomenon, setting the stage for a new era of portable entertainment. Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain why the device's humble monochrome display and lack of backlight were actually secrets of its success; consider Gunpei Yokoi's design philosophy of "lateral thinking with withered technology"; and reveal how Super Mario Land, not Tetris, was very nearly bundled in with the U.S. release… Love the show? Support us!  Join 

Action Comics #1, published on April 18th, 1938, featured the first ever appearance of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster's iconic superhero, Superman.  The character already boasted invincibility, had a hopeless crush on Lois Lane, and an inexplicable penchant for wearing bright red underpants on the outside of his costume. But, as yet, he could not fly, did not live in Kansas, and did not work at the Daily Planet. In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain how Siegel and Shuster came to sell the rights to their creation for a paltry $130; reveal the Jewish subtexts of Krypton and Batman; and consider whether Superman's liberal politics prevented DC from fully embracing the character they'd unleashed…  Further Reading: • ‘Action Comics #1: Superman' (DC, 1938): https://archive.org/details/superman-1938-issue-1/mode/2up • ‘Superman at 80: The Jewish origins of the Man of Steel and the 'curse' that haunts the actors who play him' (The Independent, 2018): https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/superman-jewish-origins-film-adaptations-curse-jerry-siegel-christopher-reeve-henry-cavill-a8344461.html • ‘Superman' (Columbia, 1948): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7soDPQUxpOk #30s #Publishing #Jewish #Comics Love the show? Support us!  Join 

Oil tycoon Robert P. McCulloch purchased London Bridge for $2,460,000 on 17th April, 1968. The Victorian structure, which had been sinking into the River Thames at a rate of one inch every eight years, was then dismantled stone by stone and shipped to the USA, where it now bestrides Lake Havasu City, Arizona.  The wheeze was the work of advertising executive-turned-London councilor Ivan Luckin, who convinced his colleagues that it might be possible to sell the bridge to pay for the costs of building a new one, and set about a marketing blitz including a press conference in New York in which he invoked the crossing's illustrious Roman history. In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly revisit the gaudy launch ceremony; debunk the myth that McCulloch thought he was buying Tower Bridge instead; and reveal that buying the bridge wasn't even this eccentric entrepreneur's wackiest idea… Further Reading: • ‘How London Bridge Ended Up In Arizona' (HISTORY, 2016): https://www.history.com/news/how-london-bridge-ended-up-in-arizona • Inside Arizona's London Bridge (BBC, 2018): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnHy4_P8SCE • ‘London Bridge in America - The Tall Story of a Transatlantic Crossing, By Travis Elborough' (Jonathan Cape, 2013):  https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/London_Bridge_in_America/n96uDvKN3ioC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Ivan+Luckin&pg=PA271&printsec=frontcover Love the show? Support us!  Join 

This is the latest episode of the free DDW narrated podcast, titled “Innovation enabled by new drug discovery technologies”, which covers two articles written for DDW Volume 24 – Issue 3, Summer 2023. They are called: “Accelerating biotherapy and personalised medicine with long DNA” and “The microbiome in precision medicine”. In the first article, Matt Hill, Founder and CEO of Elegen writes about the importance of innovation in DNA synthesis to address critical bottlenecks in biotherapy development. In the second article, Katie Gillette, Senior Project Leader, Eliza French, Analyst, and Graham Friedman, Analyst, DeciBio, provide an industry overview of the role of the microbiome in precision medicine, and its interplay with research tools, diagnostics, and therapeutic development.

Pharaoh Thutmose III's legendary military career kicked off on 16th April, 1457 BC with the Battle of Megiddo, the first recorded battle in history. Facing a rebellion from the Canaanite city-states, who thought they could take advantage of his inexperience, Thutmose assembled a massive army and marched straight to Megiddo, a crucial strategic hub in modern-day Israel.  Boldly, he led his troops through a treacherous, narrow pass, single file, at great personal risk. His generals were understandably terrified, but the gamble paid off—and they took the enemy by surprise. Yet, despite his brilliant tactics, his troops got distracted looting the battlefield, and it took a further seven months of siege before they secured the city. In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain how detailed records of the Pharaoh's expeditions have been passed down; wonder if scribes became weary of the warrior-king's repeated victories; and discover why we should all pay attention to Megiddo - it's in the Book of Revelation… Further Reading: • ‘Thutmose III's Battle of Megiddo Inscription' (World History Encyclopedia, 2017): https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1102/thutmose-iiis-battle-of-megiddo-inscription/ • ‘Battle of Megiddo' (National Army Musem): https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/battle-megiddo • ‘​​The Deadliest Pharaoh | Thutmose III | Ancient Egypt Documentary' (History Explained, 2020): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2XS3vmVGjU #Egyptian #War #Israel #Royals Love the show? Support us!  Join 

A chaotic, shambolic and critically panned parody, the first on-screen incarnation of Ian Fleming's novel ‘Casino Royale' received its London premiere on 12th April, 1967 - with final edits still being made in the projection room. Nonetheless, it went on to take an extraordinary $40 million at the box office.  Hardnut hero James Bond's adventures had become a swinging Sixties sex comedy starring Peter Sellers, thanks to Fleming's disasterous decision to sell the movie rights to actor Gregory Ratoff for a song long before Bond was known all around the world thanks to the highly succesful film versions of his later books ‘Dr No' and ‘From Russia With Love'. In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly reveal how producer Charles K Feldman assembled such an impressive cast list for his 007 ensemble, including Orson Welles, Ronnie Corbett and Ursula Andress; explain how an on-set visit by Princess Margaret prompted an enormous clash of egos; and ponder why ‘the Spice World of the Sixties' became such a box office hit…  Further Reading: • ‘Casino Royale movie review & film summary' (Roger Ebert, 1967): https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/casino-royale-1967 • ‘The Casino Royale calamity: how Peter Sellers turned Bond into a laughing stock' (Daily Telegraph, 2021): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/casino-royale-calamity-peter-sellers-turned-bond-laughing-stock/ • ‘Casino Royale: Official Trailer' (MGM, 1967): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onhWav2DejM Love the show? Support us!  Join 

President William Howard Taft became the first Commander-in-Chief to throw the ceremonial first pitch on 14th April, 1910. Taft's participation cemented baseball as the quintessential American sport, in a period when it was still shedding its dodgy image. The game's enduring popularity ensured that the tradition persisted for over a century, with each president adding their unique flair to the ritual - though it has faced challenges, including presidents being booed by crowds and political statements made during the ceremonial pitch. In this episode, The Retrospectors reveal which presidents have passed on the opportunity to participate, which have prepared extra-hard for their big sporting moment, and which UK Prime Minister turned down the opportunity to have a go himself… Further Reading: ‘How the first pitch became baseball's Opening Day tradition' (National Geographic): https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/first-pitch-baseball-opening-day-tradition ‘Taft becomes first U.S. president to throw out first pitch at MLB game' (HISTORY, 2021): https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/historic-baseball-pitches-presidents ‘Presidential First Pitches' (Richard S. Dargan, 2016): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OB7ualOQTh0 This episode first premiered in 2024, for members of

The Stone of Scone, an oblong block of red sandstone used for centuries in the coronation of British monarchs, was recovered by Police on April 11th, 1951; three and a half months after its removal from Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day. Four Scottish students from the University of Glasgow (Ian Hamilton, Gavin Vernon, Kay Matheson and Alan Stuart) stole the stone in the hope it could boost interest in Scottish nationalism. Instead, it seemed to provoke a national discussion about where the stone - which they'd accidentally split in two before bungling it into their Ford Anglia - should now reside. In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly decode the religious myths surrounding this ‘stone of destiny'; explain why Charles III *will* want it to ‘groan' when he sits on it; and reveal the ingenious way the authorities tracked the stone up to Arbroath…  Further Reading: • ‘Theft of the Stone of Scone' (The Guardian, 2007): https://www.theguardian.com/books/2007/dec/29/featuresreviews.guardianreview • ‘The students who stole the Stone of Destiny' (BBC News): https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-63130942 • ‘Coronation Stone of Scone discovered in Scotland' (Gaumont, 1951): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-ni0XrAmtA Love the show? Support us!  Join 

The foundations of modern copyright law were laid on 10th April 1710, when the Statute of Anne came into effect. Before the Act, anyone could copy and sell books without giving a penny to the author; now, writers would be protected from being completely exploited by (British) publishers for an initial period of 14 years. Writers like Jonathan Swift and Daniel Defoe had earned respect as professionals, pushing for more control over their own work, and leading to a shift away from the Stationers' Company—a powerful guild that previously held a monopoly over publishing and censorship. In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explore how later writers like William Wordsworth would campaign for longer copyright duration; revisit the milestones that allowed the law to be applied to other creative endeavours, such as music and film; and reveal why you won't be hearing Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech in many adverts for a few years yet… Further Reading: • ‘The Statute of Anne' (British Parliament, 1710): https://ipmall.law.unh.edu/sites/default/files/hosted_resources/lipa/copyrights/Statute%20of%20Anne%20_1710_.pdf • ‘Whose line is it anyway?' (The Sunday Times, 2012):  https://www.thetimes.com/article/7c5efe43-97d5-4d9f-b53f-5444bca12a2a • ‘IP BASICS: What is Intellectual Property?' (Intellectual Property Office UK, 2015): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYiXTKbdNr4 #Publishing #1700s #UK #Legal Love the show? Support us!  Join 

The only sitting U.S. president to ever be arrested was Ulysses S. Grant, who was busted THREE TIMES for the same crime: speeding. The first was 9th April, 1886, when he tore through Washington, D.C. in a horse-drawn buggy. General Grant scoffed at the idea of getting arrested and simply rode off: the 1860s version of flipping the bird. Grant's love for fast horses wasn't just a reckless hobby—it was part of his identity. Even at West Point, he was known more for his exceptional riding skills than his military prowess, and his ability to charge fearlessly into battle on horseback had made him an unstoppable force in the Civil War, leading the Union Army to victory. But back in peacetime D.C., his speed-demon tendencies weren't quite as heroic. The streets were packed with pedestrians, and reckless buggies had already caused serious injuries, so law enforcement was cracking down. Just three months later, he was caught speeding again. This time, he played it cool, paid the fine, and didn't cause a scene. But the real kicker came in 1872, when Grant—now a sitting U.S. president—was arrested yet again. This time, the officer in question was William West, a Black Civil War veteran turned policeman. The encounter was almost poetic: a president known for fighting for African American rights being held accountable by a Black officer who had once fought for the Union. In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly review the veracity of Officer West's account, given it wasn't published for many decades; consider why twenty women reportedly turned up to court the next day to testify against the President's mates; and reveal how the arrests were reported very differently in the South… Further Reading: • ‘Has a U.S. President Ever Been Arrested Before? | When Ulysses S. Grant Was Arrested for Speeding' (Smithsonian Magazine, 2023): https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/when-president-ulysses-s-grant-was-arrested-for-speeding-in-a-horse-drawn-carriage-180981916/ • ‘Was General Grant Arrested for Speeding in Washington, D.C.?' (U.S. National Park Service) https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/was-general-grant-arrested-for-speeding-in-washington-d-c.htm • ‘Civil War Hero: Ulysses S. Grant was a Horse Whisperer?! | Told By Macey Hensley | History at Home' (History, 2020): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOj0qUGpksg #Funny #Black #Crime #1800s Love the show? Support us!  Join 

The most famous armless statue of all time, ‘Venus de Milo' was discovered by a farmer on the Aegean island of Milos on 8th April, 1829, sparking an international bidding war that saw her eventually donated to the Louvre by Louis XVIII. The French had a particular interest in snapping up a new ancient treasure, having been forced to return many priceless artefacts to their original nations following Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo.  In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly reveal the statue's original blingtastic paintwork; explain why Louis XVIII's obesity delayed its arrival in Paris; and ask what actually happened to Venus's arms… Image: https://flickr.com/photos/sey_alg9/ Further Reading: • ‘Venus de Milo: The Most Famous Armless Statue in the World' (HowStuffWorks, 2020): https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/arts/artwork/venus-de-milo.htm • ‘How a peasant farmer found the Venus de Milo' (The National, 2020): https://www.thenational.scot/news/18365077.peasant-farmer-found-venus-de-milo/ • ‘The conspiracy behind this famous statue' (VOX, 2020): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs1VWuQEd7Y Love the show? Support us!  Join 

George Michael and Andew Ridgely, aka British duo Wham!, became the first Western group to play a gig in Communist China on 7th April, 1985. The event, staged at the People's Gymnasium in Beijing, was primarily a strategic move aimed at breaking the band in the United States; the brainchild of the band's managers, Gordon Jazz Summer and Simon Napier Bell, who embarked on a series of hotel lunches with Chinese officials, gradually unveiling the proposal for Wham!'s performance. The logistical challenges were immense - requiring a jumbo jet solely dedicated to transporting equipment for the concert, and securing funding for an accompanying film from CBS. In this episode, The Retrospectors consider how the atmosphere was tempered by police presence and cultural sensitivities; reveal just why it was that the audience knew all the songs, even though they'd never heard of the band when they'd purchased their tickets; and discover how NOT to get a clap-along going during ‘Club Tropicana'... Further Reading: • ‘Wham! Play China' (MOJO Magazine, 2023): https://www.mojo4music.com/articles/stories/wham-play-china/ • ‘When China met Wham!' (CBC Radio, 2015): https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-friday-edition-1.3028194/when-china-met-wham-thirty-years-ago-the-band-staged-first-western-pop-concert-1.3028466 • 'Wham! In China: Foreign Skies' (Lindsahy Anderson, 1985): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YG5flQd5ETI Love the show? Support us!  Join 

Gerald Holtom's CND symbol, known internationally as the ‘peace' symbol, made its debut at a protest march by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament on 4th April, 1958.  The march went from London to Aldermaston, where Britain's nuclear weapons were and still are manufactured. Five hundred cardboard ‘lollipop sticks' displaying the logo were produced - and it's since scarcely been out of circulation as an anti-establishment plea for peace around the world. In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly question whether Goya helped influence Holton's iconic design; reveal how author J.B. Priestley had fermented the protests on this day; and consider the International Shoe Corporation's dubious claim to the patent …  Further Reading: • ‘The Peace Symbol: Beginnings and Evolution' (ThoughtCo, 2019): https://www.thoughtco.com/the-peace-symbol-1779351# • ‘He gave his unforgettable work for nothing. Shouldn't the designer of the peace symbol be commemorated?' (The Guardian, 2015): https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/28/shouldnt-british-designer-gerard-holtom-of-peace-symbol-be-commemorated-paris-attacks • ‘Walter Wolfgang: 'why I marched to Aldermaston in 1958' (CND, 2018): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLqBUws7R8E #50s #UK #War #Design Love the show? Support us!  Join 

Fleetwood Mac's iconic breakup album ‘Rumours' hit No.1 on the U.S. album charts on April 2nd, 1977, and has never really left the public consciousness since.  With banger after banger—Dreams, Go Your Own Way, The Chain—it resonated across generations, but perhaps especially with the band's boomer contemporaries, many experiencing troubled relationships of their own. At the time of its recording in California, Mick Fleetwood was reeling from a collapsed marriage, John and Christine McVie were divorcing, and Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham were locked in an emotional war, with Nicks soon to embark upon a relationship with Fleetwood. Recording Rumours was a year-long endurance test.  In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly uncover the mathematical formula for Fleetwood's cocaine consumpion; consider how TikTok has revived interest in this seminal LP; and reveal how, despite making positive noises, contemporary critics missed just how important the album would become… Further Reading: • ‘Rumours' (Library of Congress, 2017): https://www.loc.gov/static/programs/national-recording-preservation-board/documents/Rumours.pdf  • ‘Fleetwood Mac: In the Middle of the Road' (The Washington Post, 1977): https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1977/02/09/fleetwood-mac-in-the-middle-of-the-road/537b612c-e519-4623-a118-144efcac1a1f/ • ‘Fleetwood Mac - Rumours [Full Album]' (Warner Records, 1977): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uFU79MGj00 #Music #70s #US #Celebrity Love the show? Support us!  Join 

Under the orders of King Charles III - who wanted marble and classical art for his palace at Portici - Spanish military engineer Roque Joaquín de Alcubierre excavated some Campanian ruins on 1st April, 1748 - and discovered the long-lost city of Pompeii. Buried beneath volcanic ash and debris since Mount Vesuvius erupted in A.D. 79, much of the city was remarkably preserved; including breathtaking buildings that portrayed the opulent lifestyle enjoyed by the city's wealthy elite. In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain how the site has since inspired all archaeological digs; ask why Pompeii in particular has generated such huge human interest; and reveal the truth about ‘Wanking Man'... Further Reading: • ‘Excavations of Pompeii in the 18th Century · The Discovery of Pompeii and Herculaneum' (from ‘Piranesi in Rome', Wellesley College): http://omeka.wellesley.edu/piranesi-rome/exhibits/show/discovery-of-pompeii-and-hercu/pompeii-excavations • ‘The two embracing 'maidens' of Pompeii are both MEN' (MailOnline, 2017):  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-4391498/The-two-embracing-maidens-Pompeii-MEN.html • ‘Pompeii: New Studies Reveal Secrets From a Dead City' (National Geographic, 2016): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSg_Sd94Y8k Love the show? Support us!  Join 

Tinky Winky, Dipsy, La La and Po were introduced to British viewers on 31st March, 1997 - launching an international phenomenon and changing kid's television forever. ‘Teletubbies' was an enormous hit for the BBC, but not without controversy: from viewers concerned that the characters' toddlerish language might impede the linguistic development of the nation's children, to angry Radio Times readers who claimed the BBC were committing ‘cultural vandalism' by axing the long-running series Playdays. In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly get lost in the weeds of Teletubbies Wiki fandom; revisit the ‘toy rage' that the show had inspired by Christmas 1997; and reveal why the first generation ‘tubbies never did live appearances…  Further Reading: • ‘Teletubbies turn 20: how four blinking toddlers became a true TV phenomenon' (The Guardian, 2017): https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/mar/31/teletubbies-turn-20-how-four-blinking-toddlers-became-a-true-tv-phenomenon • ‘The Great Distractor' (Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy, 2021): https://www.mediatechdemocracy.com/work/the-great-distractor • ‘Teletubbies: Ned's Bicycle' (BBC, 1997): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9woh2gKx1rM&list=PL8Zq4IrtuktnIh_XkWqMRfNkebVPgUIwy Love the show? Support us!  Join 

After a 23 year run that included introducing American audiences to The Beatles, Elvis Presley and The Rolling Stones, the last original episode of ‘The Ed Sullivan Show' aired on CBS on March 28, 1971. The variety programme, which cost $8 million per year, fell victim to ‘the rural purge', via which several iconic shows that appealed mainly to poorer and older demographics were axed in favour of screening old movies. In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly consider how Sullivan was able to become a TV superstar, despite having no discernible talent for presentation; explain how the host's advancing senility gave an early advantage to comedian Joan Rivers; and reveal whom this famously polite father figure deigned to call ‘bitch'… Further Reading: • ‘Right Here on Our Stage Tonight! - Ed Sullivan's America, By Gerald Nachman' (University of California Press, 2009):  https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Right_Here_on_Our_Stage_Tonight/v7owDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=ed+sullivan+show+28th+march+1971&pg=PA384&printsec=frontcover • ‘Ed Sullivan, Variety Show Host Influenced American Culture' (ThoughtCo, 2019): https://www.thoughtco.com/ed-sullivan-4589827 • ‘Elvis Presley performs "Hound Dog" on The Ed Sullivan Show' (CBS, 1956): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNYWl13IWhY&list=PLQWND5qZhbj0nqnmye5U2g3Z-ai8wos4p Love the show? Support us!  Join 

When Marlon Brando won Best Actor at the Academy Awards for his role in The Godfather on March 27, 1973, he sent Native American activist Sacheen Littlefeather in his place. Dressed in traditional Apache garb, she declined the award on Brando's behalf, “And the reasons for this being are the treatment of American Indians today by the film industry." Littlefeather's appearance was met with a mix of boos and applause from the audience. But, before her death in 2022, the Academy honoured Littlefeather for her protest, calling it "a powerful statement on behalf of human dignity and against the marginalization of Indigenous people." In this episode, Arion, Olly and Rebecca consider the lasting impact of this stark political moment; revisit Littlefeather's earlier work for Playboy; and explain why, as a rumoured ‘Pretendian', her ethnic identity continues to make headlines… Further Reading: • ‘A shocking moment in Oscars history, 50 years on' (BBC Culture, 2023): https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20230302-the-most-shocking-moment-in-oscars-history-50-years-on • ‘Sacheen Littlefeather was a Native icon. Her sisters say she was an ethnic fraud' (San Francisco Chronicle, 2022): https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/Sacheen-Littlefeather-oscar-Native-pretendian-17520648.php • 'Marlon Brando's Best Actor Oscar win for "The Godfather"' (Academy Awards, 1973): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QUacU0I4yU #Hollywood #70s #Native #Racism Love the show? Support us!  Join 

The Mille Miglia - a daring, 1,000-mile race across Italy - was first held on March 26th, 1927. Using ordinary dirt roads as the racetrack, competitors tore through cities, mountains, and countryside at unprecedented, breakneck speeds. Townspeople lined the streets, waving flags and throwing flowers, as glamorous Bugattis and Alfa Romeos roared past. The first winners, Nando Minoja and Giuseppe Morandi, completed the course in just over 21 hours, averaging an eye-watering 48 mph. They had to dodge wandering farm animals, slow-moving carts, and clueless pedestrians.  But for all its romance, the Mille Miglia had a dark side. The combination of high speeds, unpredictable roads, and massive crowds made it incredibly dangerous. The 1938 race saw a devastating crash near Bologna; and in 1957, two separate fatal crashes, including one involving dashing aristocrat Alfonso de Portago, that finally brought an end to the competition in its original form. The event had experienced 56 deaths over its 24-race history.  In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly reveal how having a skilled navigator/mechanic was just as important as having a fast car; discover the methods ultimate champion Sir Stirling Moss used to win the race in just over 10 hours in 1955; and explain how spectators can still taste the golden age of this iconic race, even in the 21st century… Further Reading: • ‘The first 1000 Miglia in 1927 – The history of the 1000 Miglia' (1000 Miglia Official Website): https://1000miglia.it/en/history-of-1000-miglia/1927-the-first-1000-miglia/ • ‘No seatbelts, 170mph: days of death and dynamism' (The Times, 2015): https://www.thetimes.com/article/f0b41044-bb1c-4694-afc9-947ace151afc • ‘Bracco vince la Mille Miglia' (Archivio Luce Cinecittà, 1952): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V59ZbkF5J40 #Italy #Motoring #20s #Sport Love the show? Support us!  Join 

Marc Brunel's visionary under-water tunnel from Rotherhithe to Wapping finally opened to the public on 25th March, 1843. It had taken 18 years to build, and was massively over-budget, but was the first tunnel successfully created under a navigable river anywhere in the world. Its construction had cost lives, caused controversy and changed the way tunnels would be built forever. But it soon became notorious as a gangway frequented by pickpockets and prostitutes. In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain why Brunel had to build a vertical tunnel before embarking upon his horizontal one; tot up its takings as an enormously popular tourist attraction; and explain how the injuries sustained by Isambard Kingdom Brunel during its construction lead directly to his even more famous architectural masterpieces…  Further Reading: • ‘The Opening Of The Thames Tunnel' (SS Great Britain Blog Brunel, 2021): https://www.ssgreatbritain.org/the-opening-of-the-thames-tunnel/ • ‘Open again after 145 years, the eighth wonder of the world' (The Independent, 2010): https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/open-again-after-145-years-the-eighth-wonder-of-the-world-1920723.html • ‘The Thames Tunnel Archive - Part 5/5' (Brunel Museum London, 2022): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HADkw-laAM This episode originally aired in 2022 Love the show? Support us!  Join